Emotions

Today’s Gospel Text:  As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed.

24 When they came to Caper'na-um, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?" 26 And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself." Matt 17:22-27

Reflection: What do you think may have happened after Jesus announces his imminent death? Did the dedicated disciples understand what Jesus had to say or do?

For this we need to know the many ways in which we pick up the thought processes of others.

Primarily we could be picking up the thought processes of others either through a mere observation of the face, the body language, the emotional expressions and above all through words.

What may come across to us in written format are the mere words of the divine person, who was in complete control of his emotions.

Which means Jesus would express the right emotions at the right time and in right measure but it does not mean the absence of emotions which God has created so that we are able to express completely in every measure.

Thus the dedicated disciples may have picked up the emotions and the seriousness from the actual reality, from what they were seeing, which Jesus may have wanted to communicate to them.

Thus the scripture tell us: “And they were greatly distressed.” 

May be some of this distress was clearly evident in the voice and tone of Jesus at the way he was going to be handed over to mere men and that too sinful.

Emotions are something which God has created for men and for their good, so that they are able to express and communicate and through the proper use of these emotions and in right situations and occasions God will also work out his salvation in us.

Christian spirituality does not look at emotions in a negative way and as one to be suppressed and pushed into oblivion but rather as one to be expressed when necessary and in the right measure for the good of self and for others and above all for the greater glory of God.

Prayer:  Lord, I thank you for thy hands have made and fashioned me, give me understanding that I may ever rejoice in your ways. (cfr. Ps. 119: 73)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Do Not Be Afraid

Today’s Gospel Text:  In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" 35 And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible." 38 And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38

Reflection: The aspect of fear is intrinsically connected to life. It seems that fear is so much a part of life in general.

Sometimes it is visible while in few instances it has to be sensed by the observer.

I gather that certain animals can sense, as if it can smell the scent of fear or could it be that certain animals pulverize their prey by inducing fear.  

We can imagine life without the fear factor; an instinct that is so essential for survival yet can be detrimental for survival.  There have been instances when people have died due to inordinate fear.

Besides, there have been instances when one has felt an irrational fear gripping them, making them feel handicapped in the face of life's challenges.

There are many who may just want to express but are not able to do so on account of the nagging fear that grips every part of their being, as if pulverized by it.  It is a kind of invisible handicap which the world may have not easily noticed.  

It would be foolishness to judge a person by the fear they exude because not all may allow their lives to be animated or dominated by the fear factor. 

We as human beings are capable to rise above our fears, just as we are able to rise above our pain, anxieties, inhibitions, hurts. 

We deal with it head on either by using our will to suppress it or rise above it. We are even capable of doing good or evil by going against our own emotions and feelings.

Whatever the fears, it can never be a curse for the one who trusts God who, of prime importance, understands the extreme fears with which humans become handicapped with. 

“Fear not” or “do not be afraid” are the reassuring presence of God with us; for he alone is capable of handling it from the root. 

Prayer: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps 27:1

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us